Creating The Cozy Dwelling
I’m so glad you’re here, friend! Welcome to the blog! In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the design and hosting adventure of The Cozy Dwelling. This was my 4th AirBnB design and hosting project. You can read about the first three projects here:
So let’s dive in! I’m excited to share all the details of how this one came about!
A Little Bit about Nakomis Dwellings
The Cozy Dwelling is Unit A of the Nakomis Dwellings. This property has the most unique windows and layout of just about anything in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nestled in the foothills of the city, it comes with access to walking trails, quick access to the interstate and an up close and personal experience with the Sandia Mountains. If you’re looking to visit ABQ and you’re wondering what the Sandia Mountains have to offer…click here.
The First of Four.
This was the first of the four townhomes in this four-plex that I got the honor of designing. Two bedrooms, one bathroom and fully remodeled...it was a perfect blank canvas for my creative juices! I had just come out of the design phase for The Modern Marquette and had some items left over from that design process, so I just built on what I had left over and The Cozy Dwelling was born!
It’s amazing how a space takes shape. I find myself walking through my favorite flea market or thrift store. As character pieces catch my eye, I begin to dream. With each new piece, the space takes shape and I just absolutely LOVE what the process led to with this space!
The Room that Started it All
This bedroom is really where The Cozy Dwelling began. I found the antique buffet at The Other Indoor Flea Market in ABQ. I believe it was around $150. It was THE PIECE that informed everything else! It’s stunning color and rustic feel led to a whole design built around turquoise, rustic elements and a “farmhouse” feel. The mirror above it came with the dresser that sits in the other bedroom, which just adds a fun and unexpected element to both rooms. The buffet makes a bold statement in this room, so the rest of the design elements are less bold and are meant to accent and highlight the features of the buffet. The bed and bed frame were purchased brand new, but the rest of the pieces in this room were purchased from local antique and flea markets. The wall decor is a mix of old and new. New items came from Hobby Lobby and the At Home store.
Bedroom Number Two
As I mentioned earlier, the dresser in this room was part of a mirror/dresser set. It’s mirror hangs in the other bedroom. I can’t emphasize enough that it’s powerful to mix and match elements. I would NEVER put a mirror with it’s matching dresser! There’s something about splitting things up and putting them in separate rooms of a home that adds interest and richness to a space. I love to think that guests looked at this dresser and the mirror in the other room and wondered if they went together. It helps to tie the individual rooms of the space together and creates the feeling that it all goes together...that the separate spaces are defined but still knit together. That’s what makes a house a home!
This room also has a mix of old and new. The dresser is very good quality- all wood and sturdy. The bed and bed frame were brand new, but the mirror was custom made by my husband and the wall decor was a fun mix of things I found from local shops. I know I say this all the time...but mixing old and new is really what creates a home. Don’t be afraid to mix it up!
The Room Where Living Happens…
The living room had the cutest little office corner and my husband made the drum coffee table, which really ties the spaces together. There were so many sharp lines and squarish pieces in this space, a round coffee table just made sense. The sofa was brand new, but the cute little sitting chair in the living room came from Goodwill and was in excellent condition. It cost $25! We did purchase a new TV console and a rug. The wall decor was also a mix of items I had left over from a previous project as well as things I collected from flea markets, thrift stores and newer items from Hobby Lobby and the At Home store. The vaulted ceilings begged for a bold statement on the main living room wall...so I delivered. These elements really drew the eyes up to take in the grand design of this space. Thank you Bart Prince, the architectural mastermind behind Nakomis Dwellings.
Where the Cooking + Dining Happen
The kitchen was fully remodeled and so cute. A few colorful touches and fully equipped cabinets and it was ready to go! It’s important to add some decorative pieces to a kitchen to tie it in with the rest of the space. Don’t neglect this great opportunity to put the icing on your design cake, friend! If you’re wondering how to make sure your kitchen is fully equipped for your guests, you’re welcome to use this list that I use to fully equip my spaces.
The Bathroom
And lastly, but certainly not least. The bathroom. This is another spot where you don’t want to forget to add some touches that make it feel like it belongs in your space. Even the smallest bathroom can feel at “home” in the space it’s in with carefully selected pieces, the right color towels and a couple fun things on the walls. Oh, and don’t forget the power of a shower curtain! I love the cow picture in this bathroom. Just so darn cute.
A cute little sitting area on the front and back porches completes this space! This little townhome was a wild success. It was booked SOLID with great nightly rates and amazing profits. When a space is designed well and feels like home, it’s a more successful AirBnB. Period. I’m so grateful I got to be a part of the story of The Cozy Dwelling!
In the next post, I’ll share all about The Stately Dwelling. See how the exact same floorplan just next door took on a drastically different design feel. Still homey, still successful...but TOTALLY different! Stay tuned!
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